Picture Perfect - Day 17 of Blog Every Day in May

I haven't written anything for the Blog Every Day in May challenge for two days because I have been too sick to think and type.

If it weren't for the painful muscles in my arms and thighs and the discomfort that fever brings I would have enjoyed the last two days.  It was a welcome change not to do any house chore.  My husband was so sweet to take care of the cooking and of me.  I don't like getting sick but I wish there were more zero-chore days.

Today's prompt is : A Favorite Photo  of Yourself and Why.  Well, I have a lot of favorite photos of myself alone but that's just because I think I look great in them and that would make me seem pretty shallow.  I have  several photos of myself taken with other people and I would like to share those with you today, instead.

I have a lot of pictures growing up, a lot with my mom or with my sister but very few with my mom AND my sister.   And now that we've grown, photos with both my mom and my sister have also grown rarer and rarer.   This, I think, is the best one that we have as adults.

    If that was the best photo we have with our mom as adults, here is the best photo my sister and I have with our dad.  My sister is the one on the left.  This was taken during our Singapore trip with our dad.  Mom is extremely afraid of planes so she didn't join us.  It was a special time because we do not get to do things with our dad anymore now that my sister and I are grown-up and have our own plans and itineraries.  So having him join us in this trip was something special.

I think this picture is so fun!  My sister took this of me, my dad and my son at the Universal Studios in Singapore.

And here are some of my favorite photos taken on one of my favorite days --my second wedding.  There is really nothing spectacular about these pictures but if you look at the faces of the people in each picture, you'd see the happiness that I and everyone else felt on that day.

This is the one we're framing.

If you'd like to see more of my wedding photos, plus some inside scoop, click here.

And then there's this one taken on my mom's birthday some three years ago.  I think this is a great family picture.  It is truly reflective of what our family is.  That's my son acting all wacky again, and my parents who don't like seeing my son act that way.  Look at their faces!  And there's my sister and me who just don't care as long as we get to have our picture taken.

Pictures truly paint a thousand words.  They remind us of who we are and where we've been. They help us remember the past so that we may in some way relive a moment that has been lost forever.   Come to think of it, I think this is one of the inventions I am most thankful for.  Oh, where would I be without my pictures?

I know I've gotten overboard with this post.  Sorry!  Just got too excited.  I hope you enjoyed some of my best loved pictures.

 What is your favorite picture? Link up at Jenni's and show us!

My Long Happy List - Day 14 of Blog Every Day in May

Source: Uploaded by user via Marie Claire on Pinterest

I know I should be writing about 10 things that make me happy.  But it's so hard when to narrow down a long list with just ten so can I just break the rule, please?

I'm going to list down as many as I can, okay?

1.  being with my loved ones, specially my son and my husband

2. listening to my son play the violin

3. surprise presents -  I love presents on my birthday and on Christmas Day but I get giddy with 

   happiness when I get wrapped presents out of the blue.  That just makes me feel so special.

4. eating Zambales mangoes - I have said this and I will say it again, I thank God I'm alive every time I eat one and eating my mango ref cake just makes me think of heaven!

5. cold showers on a hot day

6. finding shoes that fit - My feet are really tiny and I have a terrible time every time I go shopping for shoes.

7. cold drink on a hot day - I love milk tea except that I learned they don't use milk but creamer.

8. cuddles - 

9. tickles - Ssshh.... this is a secret ok?  My husband might tickle me even more if he knows about this.  But here's the thing, it's like I have a love-hate relationship with tickling.   I don't like being tickled and yet I enjoy it.  Weird, huh?

10. a really good book -  Books that leave a smile on my face and make me wish it hasn't ended yet really make my day.

11. playing with babies -  Oh, this would just make me forget the time!

my nephew, Emilio

12. air conditioning

13. feel-good movies

14. travels

15. occasions that allow me to dress up

16. snail mails 

17. long chats with friends

18. sunrise

19. free days

20. nature

21. stage rehearsals and performances

22. my favorite time of the year - Christmas and everything that's connected to it

What about you? What makes you happy?

Head over to Jenni's and see other lists like this one.

I Miss...Day 12 of Blog Every Day in May

It's hard to write this post without getting a little sad.  Usually, when I remember the people or things I miss, I try my hardest to think of something else just so I wouldn't be sad.  But today, I am forced to face all of them.

Let's start with my grandparents on my mom's side  (I didn't see my grandparents on my dad's side anymore).  They doted on me.  My lola (grandma) taught me the alphabet, taught me how to count, how to pray, etc.  My lolo (grandpa) was my first friend. We played pretend together and we did magic tricks whenever guests were around. I was the magician and he was my assistant.  Lolo and Lola were taken back to heaven when I was in 4th grade and first year high school respectively. I think of them often and regret the fact that I wasn't by their side when they passed away.  I hope they know how much I love them.

I miss my son.  Yeah, I know he lives with me and we see each other all the time. I miss the "old" him.  He was a lot different then.   He was such a happy little child, with a ready smile for me and for everyone.  I miss his free hugs and kisses and I miss his chubby little hands that didn't try to break free from my clasp, his innocent laughter  that rang around the house all day long.   Oh, why do children have to grow up so fast?

I miss the old me....specifically my 20-year-old self.   Yes, that girl was naive and inexperienced. She tried to get home before sunset, never went out at night with friends (hmm...she sounded boring I know) but she was carefree and full of hope and she had every right to be.    She had no responsibilities similar to those of young professionals like herself.  Life was easy and the future was full of promise.  I terribly miss her.

What about you? What do you miss? Link up at Jenni's.